1. Andy Dalton- has to take the next step and become a better decision maker and deep ball thrower. He needs to start faster in games and not have to play catch up.

2. Carlos Dunlap- Flashed greatness but needs to stay healthy and become a starter not just a pass rush specialist.

3. Taylor Mays- Should be opening day starter at SS. Mays needs to show he can compete at this level.

4. #2 receiver- Whoever this is, whether it's Sanu, Jones, Binns or someone else, this player is going to be key in how efficient our offense performs.

5. Jermaine Gresham- started to show more of his talent last year. He needs to continue to improve and become an elite TE.

6. Michael Johnson- Another inconsistent player. At times looks great, other times disappear.

7. Dre Kirkpatrick- Will likely be throw into the fire day 1 if Hall isn't ready. Needs to keep his head and not get burned.

8. Andre Smith- is a free agent after this year. Needs to prove he can be a dominant RT. Needs to stay healthy and in good shape.

9. Ben Jarvus Green Ellis- Can he be the first option at RB? We know he is solid, but can he become a star?

10. Rey Maualuga- another inconsistent player. Needs to show he can be the leader of this defense and stay out of trouble.

11. Kevin Zeitler- going to be opening day starter at RG, needs to step up right away.

12. The Bengals fanbase- the team proved it has Improved an want to win. We need to step up and support them, fill the stands and not be an embarrassment having blackouts all the time._________________

1. Andy Dalton- has to continue to improve on what was IMO, one of the best rookie seasons in NFL history. That's going to be a tough ask given our schedule. AJ Green is going to get alot more attention this year, so Dalton will have to spread it around probably to more varied targets this year.

2. Carlos Dunlap- Flashed greatness but needs to stay healthy and become a starter not just a pass rush specialist.

3. Taylor Mays- Should be opening day starter at SS. Mays needs to show he can compete at this level.

4. Mohamed Sanu - Assumed WR#2 - needs to step in right away and take the pressure off AJ.

5. Jermaine Gresham- started to show more of his talent last year. He needs to continue to improve and become an elite TE.

6. Andrew Whitworth- Essential that 'Big Whit' stays healthy. Whitworth has owned the AFCN's elite pass-rushers the last few years, and he needs to continue protecting Daltons rear. At least it looks like he might get a rest from Suggs this year.

7. Dre Kirkpatrick- Will likely be throw into the fire day 1 if Hall isn't ready. Needs to keep his head and not get burned.

8. Andre Smith- is a free agent after this year. Needs to prove he can be a dominant RT. Needs to stay healthy and in good shape.

9. Rey Maualuga- another inconsistent player. Needs to show he can be the leader of this defense and stay out of trouble.

10. Kevin Zeitler- going to be opening day starter at RG, needs to step up right away.

11. Orson Charles - Has to become a legit TE2 threat. Being able to go to a regular multiple TE sets with AJ outside could prove difficult to defend.

12. Vontaze Burfict- I include Burfict in the list, not because his play will necessarily be season breaking; but because if he can develop into a NFL calibre LB, it will be a massive boost to our coaches, who have uniquely placed their confidence in him._________________" Democracy is a system where two idiots can out-vote a genius..........."

1. Andy Dalton
- He needs to step up his game. I have a feeling Dalton will avoid the sophomore slump and continue to grow.
2. Jermaine Gresham
- IMO, no #2 WR will contribute early. Gresham needs to step up at fill the #2 target role. Its his second offseason with Grudens new scheme. He needs to develop quickly if our passing game can be effective.
3. Kevin Zeitler
- Our main attack is going to be on the ground and running to that right side. Zeitler has big shoes to fill with the loss of Bobbie Williams.
4. Carlos Dunlap
- Our secondary will continue to struggle unless we get to the passer. Dunlap needs to beat double teams and continue pressuring opposing offences.
5. Geno Atkins
- If the D-Line doesn't step up our secondary will struggle mightily. Geno will have plenty of 1vs1 opportunities and must take advantage.
6. Dre Kirkpatrick
- My gut feeling is telling me that Leon Hall will end up on the PUP ala Rivers. Barring injury he is going to be thrown onto the field early and often. He needs to prove that he was worth that top selection.
7. Mohamed Sanu/Armon Binns/Marvin Jones
- Somebodya at somepoint has to breakaway from the pack and prove himself effective. The #2 will have almost every snap to beat 1vs1.
8. Bernard Scott
- IMO, Scott has a more vital role in this offence than BJGE. He needs to start breaking some big runs. I can't handle another season of 3.2 yards a carry.
9. Leon Hall
- Please return to pre-injury form.
10. Taylor Mays
- Hes basically being handed the SS job. As long as he's solid ill be really happy.
11. Rey Maualuga
- Contract year. Prove your worth Rey.
12. Andrew Whitworth
- Suggs going down was a nice surprise , but we still need to keep Andy's blindside rushers at bey._________________[quote="YoursTruly"]He doesn't get the ball because he is shut down. Zero seperation. It is my understanding that Elite WR should be able to do this when their number is called. AJ gets shut down relatively easy.[/quote]

Most valuable asset right now is probably my old 1993 'Reggie Rembert' jersey. Would you take a shirt right off a guys back JD ?_________________" Democracy is a system where two idiots can out-vote a genius..........."

Players not included because I expect good play from them:
Geno Atkins
Andrew Whitworth
AJ Green
Kyle Cook
Manny Lawson

My 12, in no particular order:

1. Andy Dalton - Needs to prove that last year wasn't a fluke, and show that he can start faster and not just up his play in the 4th

2. Mohamed Sanu - I think he wins the #2 WR job. He needs to show he can create separation through precise route running and make tough catches in traffic. I expect 60+ catches, 800+ yards, and 5+ TD's this year. A tall order, but with constant single coverages opposite of AJ, I think that is attainable.

3. Kevin Zeitler - Needs to be an insta-starter who keeps The Red Menace on his feet and open up lanes for the Law Firm. I really hope we see him pulling like he did for Wisconsin. He was great at picking up linebackers and sealing the hole.

4. Andre Smith - He's down to 330 lbs and wants to get to 325 by the end of training camp. It's contract year for him so I am expecting big things this year, especially in the run game with Zeitler next to him

5. Jermaine Gresham - He can be a 1000 yard, 10 TD TE, he just needs to stay healthy and consistent. He'll be the key to Dalton being able to put up pro bowl numbers

6. Mike Nugent - When our special teams are consistent, we tend to respond better.

7. Carlos Dunlap - Need to stay healthy and on the field without dropping production with more snaps. He can be a double digit sack guy from the left side if he can have a complete season

8. Michael Johnson - He needs to do more than just swat down balls and get the occassional pressure. Our dline is loaded with talent this year and it's contract year. No more time for excuses.

9. Thomas Howard - He needs to be just as consistent as last year with a few more big plays. The more he is able to cover a TE, the more exotic blitz packages we can run.

10. Reggie Nelson - Needs to be a more sure tackler and not let WR get behind him. Towards the end of the year he got burnt on a few big plays that he should have been able to stop. We gave him a 4 year deal, he needs to be a leader in the secondary.

11. Dre Kirkpatrick - With Hall coming off injury, he needs to have a day one impact and not have typical growing pains, or at least not too many

12. Adam Jones - Pacman needs to return punts and show he still has cover skills. This is the first time in a long time he says he is 100%, let's hope it's true_________________
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